CELPIP LS (Listening and Speaking) Course: Listening strategies

1. Question 1 of 18

   How many times does each audio clip play in the CELPIP Listening test?

   • AThree times
   • BOnce
   • CTwice
   • DAs many times as you like
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   Answer: B. Once

   Each clip plays once and starts automatically, so take notes the first time you hear it.

2. Question 2 of 18

   What are you given to take notes during the test?

   • AYour own notebook
   • BNothing; notes are not allowed
   • CA pen and notepaper
   • DA tablet with a notes app
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   Answer: C. A pen and notepaper

   The test centre gives you a pen and notepaper. You must hand them back at the end of the test.

3. Question 3 of 18

   Which note-taking style does the official study material recommend?

   • AFull sentences, word for word
   • BKey words in point form
   • CNo notes at all
   • DDrawings of each speaker
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   Answer: B. Key words in point form

   Write only key words and phrases in point form. Abbreviations and symbols help you keep up with the audio.

4. Question 4 of 18

   A question asks, "What is the date of the meeting?" What type of question is this?

   • AGeneral meaning
   • BInference
   • CMain idea and purpose
   • DSpecific information
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   Answer: D. Specific information

   A date, name, place or single fact said in one spot is a specific information question.

5. Question 5 of 18

   A question asks, "What is the conversation mainly about?" What type of question is this?

   • AInference
   • BVocabulary
   • CSpecific information
   • DGeneral meaning
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   Answer: D. General meaning

   General meaning questions are about the big picture: several sentences, several speakers or the whole clip.

6. Question 6 of 18

   A question asks, "How does the man probably feel about the plan?" What type of question is this?

   • AInference
   • BGeneral meaning
   • CSpelling
   • DSpecific information
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   Answer: A. Inference

   Inference questions ask for something the speakers do not say directly, such as feelings. Words like "probably" and "most likely" are clues.

7. Question 7 of 18

   You hear "The meeting has been pushed back a week." Which answer option most likely matches it?

   • AThe meeting was cancelled for good
   • BThe meeting has been pushed
   • CThe meeting will take place later
   • DThe meeting is this week
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   Answer: C. The meeting will take place later

   Correct answers usually paraphrase the audio. "Pushed back" means moved to a later time; the option that repeats the word "pushed" is a trap.

8. Question 8 of 18

   Besides words, which verbal cues help you understand a speaker's meaning?

   • AThe length of the clip
   • BPauses, intonation and stressed words
   • CThe number of questions on the screen
   • DThe speaker's age and height
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   Answer: B. Pauses, intonation and stressed words

   The official tips say to listen for verbal cues like pauses, intonation (the rise and fall of the voice) and stressed words.

9. Question 9 of 18

   In Listening Part 1 (Problem Solving), what should your notes track?

   • AOnly the numbers, dates and prices you hear
   • BOnly the names of the two speakers and their jobs
   • CThe problem, each solution and the one chosen
   • DThe exact words of the first and last sentences
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   Answer: C. The problem, each solution and the one chosen

   Part 1 is built around a problem, so note the problem, each suggested solution and which one the speakers finally choose.

10. Question 10 of 18

    How are the Part 1 audio and questions organized?

    • AThree separate news reports
    • BThree sections, with questions after each
    • COne long talk, questions at the end
    • DA video with questions shown during it
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    Answer: B. Three sections, with questions after each

    Part 1 has a conversation in three sections. After each section you answer 2 or 3 questions.

11. Question 11 of 18

    In Parts 1 to 3, how are the questions shown?

    • ASpoken only, with no text
    • BAll on one screen, any order
    • CAll before the audio starts
    • DOne at a time, in the order given
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    Answer: D. One at a time, in the order given

    In Parts 1–3 the questions are heard and read one at a time, in order, with about 30 seconds each.

12. Question 12 of 18

    In Part 4 (News Item), why should you write down each person's last name?

    • ALater the report uses only the last name
    • BThe questions will ask you to spell each name correctly
    • CThe speakers never say anyone's first name in a report
    • DLast names are usually the correct answer to a question
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    Answer: A. Later the report uses only the last name

    A report introduces someone by full name and then refers to them by last name, so the last name helps you follow who said what.

13. Question 13 of 18

    In Parts 4 to 6 all the questions are on one screen. What is a good strategy?

    • AWait for the timer to end before you answer
    • BAlways answer them from the bottom of the screen up
    • CLeave the hard questions blank to save time
    • DAnswer the ones you are most sure about first
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    Answer: D. Answer the ones you are most sure about first

    You can answer in any order in Parts 4–6, so start with the ones you are confident about, then return to the others.

14. Question 14 of 18

    In Part 5 (Discussion), how can you organize your notes?

    • ATwo columns, one for true and one for false
    • BA timeline of the clothes each person is wearing
    • COne long list of every word that you hear
    • DOne column for each of the three speakers
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    Answer: D. One column for each of the three speakers

    Part 5 is a video with three speakers. A column for each speaker helps you track their feelings and where they agree or disagree.

15. Question 15 of 18

    In the Part 5 video, which visual details are most useful?

    • ABody language and facial expressions
    • BThe colour of the walls
    • CBrand names on clothing
    • DObjects in the background that nobody mentions
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    Answer: A. Body language and facial expressions

    Body language and facial expressions can show how a speaker feels. Ignore visual details that are not part of the conversation.

16. Question 16 of 18

    In Part 6 (Viewpoints), what should you identify?

    • AOnly the speaker's name and job title
    • BThe speaker's accent and speed of speech
    • CThe issue, the opinions and the reasons
    • DOnly the numbers and dates in the talk
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    Answer: C. The issue, the opinions and the reasons

    Part 6 is a talk about an issue with different opinions. Track who holds each opinion and why.

17. Question 17 of 18

    You are not sure of an answer and time is almost up. What should you do?

    • ALeave it blank to avoid losing a point
    • BClick Next and come back later
    • CChoose your best guess and move on
    • DAsk staff to replay the audio
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    Answer: C. Choose your best guess and move on

    Wrong answers cost nothing and blank answers count as wrong, so always choose an answer.

18. Question 18 of 18

    You finish a Listening question early. Can you use the extra time later in the test?

    • ANo. The Listening test ends early
    • BYes. It is added to the next Listening part
    • CNo. Use it to check your answer
    • DYes. It is added to your Speaking time
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    Answer: C. No. Use it to check your answer

    Time left over cannot be moved to another part, and after you click Next you cannot go back, so use spare time to check.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.